Mercy Urgent Care President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Johnston is retiring after 27 years of service with the Sisters of Mercy organization. Rachel Sossoman will take over as President and CEO of Mercy Urgent Care and the Catherine McAuley Mercy Foundation as of July 1, 2021.
Johnston began working with Sisters of Mercy in 1987 as the Imaging and Special Services Director at St. Joseph’s Hospital and has been the President and CEO of Mercy Urgent Care since October 2005. Under Johnston’s leadership, not-for-profit Mercy Urgent Care grew from three Buncombe County sites to eight locations in five counties; and Mercy for Haiti was established. During the pandemic, Mercy added telemedicine—enabling the safe provision of care—and performed more than 32,000 COVID-19 tests.
Johnston holds degrees from North Carolina State University and Central Michigan University. He looks forward to having more free time to spend with family and grandchildren, volunteer, hike, bike, and play a bit more golf.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve and then lead an organization that has a purpose and a mission beyond itself,” said Johnston. “My career could not have been any more fulfilling. And one of the most fulfilling parts has been the development of a Leadership Team and mentoring Mercy’s next President and CEO Rachel Sossoman.”
Sossoman joined Mercy in 2015, serving as Director of Human Resources, and most recently, as Chief Administrative Officer. She holds degrees from Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University; is an MBA candidate at NC State University; is a graduate of Leadership Asheville 38; and is a candidate for Certified Medical Practice Executive. Sossoman was unanimously chosen by the Boards of Directors because of her charism of mercy, in addition to her intelligence, vision, knowledge, temperament, and values. An integral part of the Leadership Team, Sossoman and the team will continue to build upon the legacy of leadership at Mercy Urgent Care.
